The Parole Board issued is recommendation today on the request for clemency in the case of Jeffrey Hill. In the state of Ohio a death sentence stands more often than it is overturned because, they say, it's to give the victim's family closure and a sense of justice. In the case of Hill, his mother was the victim, killed bu Hill while high on crack-cocaine, and the rest of his family didn't want to see him executed.

The final decision is up to Gov. Ted Strickland and if he listens to the family, as the Parole Board did, one less murder will take place in the Buckeye state. What follows is a statement from Eddie Sanders, brother of Emma Dee Hill and uncle of
Jeffrey Hill, on behalf of Emma Dee Hill’s family.

“My family and I send our deepest appreciation to the
Ohio Parole Board for unanimously recommending clemency and parole eligibility
for my nephew, Jeffrey Hill. We now pray that Governor Ted Strickland respects
my family’s wishes and follows the Parole Board’s unified recommendation.

“Eighteen years ago we suffered a profound loss when
Jeffrey took the life of his mother, and my sister, Emma Dee Hill. Jeffrey
became addicted to crack-cocaine after his father’s passing. My family knows
that had it not been for the effect of drugs, this tragedy would never have
occurred. We have forgiven Jeffrey and do not want to have to suffer through
the tragic loss of another one of our own. We are certain that Emma herself,
who was a woman of great faith and conviction, would also be absolutely opposed
to the death sentence given to Jeffrey.

“Twelve members of my family appealed to the Parole Board
to spare Jeffrey’s life. It was the first time that we were able to state our
wishes in depth. We were cast aside at trial, and the jury never heard from
Emma's mother, her two brothers and sister, all of us who were and who remain
opposed to Jeffrey receiving a death sentence. It is tremendously meaningful
that we were able to have our position recognized by all of the members of the
Parole Board today. We are so very thankful that the Parole Board respected our
plea and recommended clemency.

“My family, including Emma’s mother, other siblings,
nephews, nieces and grandchildren, does not want this execution carried out in
our name. We pray that Governor Ted Strickland upholds the Board’s
recommendation and grants clemency and parole eligibility to Jeffrey.”

To help Strickland make up his mind, drop him a note or give him a call.